For Those Who Have Heart
For Those Who Have Heart is the second studio album by the American rock band A Day to Remember, released on January 22, 2007, through Victory Records.[1] The album marks the band's first release with Victory Records and features a blend of post-hardcore and metalcore elements, characterized by heavy breakdowns, melodic choruses, and pop-punk influences.[2] Recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts, it consists of 12 tracks, including standout songs such as "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle," "Monument," and "Speak of the Devil," with a total runtime of approximately 43 minutes.[2] The record played a pivotal role in establishing A Day to Remember's presence in the metalcore scene, contributing to their rise on the Warped Tour circuit and garnering a dedicated fanbase.[3] In 2023, the album was remastered and reissued by Craft Recordings, featuring enhanced audio quality and limited-edition vinyl variants.[2]Background
Label transition
Following the release of their debut album And Their Name Was Treason in 2005 on Indianola Records, A Day to Remember grew dissatisfied with the label's handling of the band. As a small independent outfit based in Valdosta, Georgia, Indianola lacked the resources and expertise to provide adequate promotional support, leaving the group to largely self-promote through grassroots touring despite modest sales of around 8,000 copies.[4] Lead vocalist Jeremy McKinnon later reflected on this period, stating, "It was a small label, and they didn’t really know what to do with us."[4] In mid-2006, the band began auditioning for new labels, including a showcase performance in Chicago after touring with On the Last Day, to secure better opportunities for growth.[5] This effort culminated in their signing with Victory Records on July 21, 2006, a Chicago-based independent label specializing in punk, hardcore, emo, metal, and alternative acts.[6] Victory's established distribution network and roster of influential bands in the punk and hardcore scenes positioned it to offer A Day to Remember wider reach and professional support compared to Indianola.[7] Around this time, the band also integrated new drummer Alex Shelnutt into the lineup.[8] The transition enabled the group to enter the studio for their sophomore album, For Those Who Have Heart, under a multi-album deal that would define their early mainstream breakthrough.Lineup changes
Prior to the recording of For Those Who Have Heart, A Day to Remember underwent a key lineup change with the departure of founding drummer Bobby Scruggs in 2006. Scruggs had been part of the band since its formation in 2003 but stepped away as the group prepared for their next phase. The band quickly auditioned replacements and brought in 15-year-old Alex Shelnutt on drums, who joined just days before the start of a major tour that year.[9] Shelnutt integrated seamlessly during the pre-production of the album, contributing to its development and marking his debut full-length recording with the band. This solidified the core lineup for For Those Who Have Heart as vocalist Jeremy McKinnon, rhythm guitarist Neil Westfall, bassist Joshua Woodard, lead guitarist Tom Denney, and drummer Alex Shelnutt. The change occurred amid the band's transition to Victory Records, setting the stage for the album's release.[9]Recording and production
Studio sessions
The recording sessions for For Those Who Have Heart took place from October to November 2006 at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts.[10] The band, having recently signed with Victory Records, entered the studio following a period of lineup adjustments, including the addition of drummer Alex Shelnutt, who had joined just prior to the project.[11] Pre-production work was handled by Andrew Wade at his studio in Ocala, Florida, where the band refined their material before heading to Zing Studios for the full tracking.[11] Demos were initially recorded by Matt Finch at 318 Studios to capture early versions of the songs.[11] The sessions presented logistical hurdles due to Shelnutt's youth—he was 16 years old during recording—and his status as a newcomer to the group, requiring additional time to integrate his contributions amid the band's evolving dynamic.[12] Despite these obstacles, the focused two-month timeline allowed the quintet to complete tracking efficiently, laying the foundation for the album's blend of metalcore intensity and pop-punk accessibility.[10]Production team
The production of For Those Who Have Heart was overseen by Eric Arena and the band A Day to Remember, who served as co-producers, guiding the album's overall sound and creative direction.[10] Arena, a seasoned engineer known for his work in the metalcore and pop-punk scenes, took primary responsibility for recording and mixing the tracks, ensuring a polished blend of the band's aggressive and melodic elements.[10] His involvement extended to capturing the raw energy of the performances while refining the production for Victory Records' standards.[10] Supporting Arena's efforts, additional engineering duties were handled by Chris Fortin and Joe Mahoney, who contributed to tracking and technical aspects during the sessions.[10] These roles were crucial in managing the multi-layered instrumentation, including guitars, drums, and vocals, to achieve the album's dynamic range.[10] Once mixed, the album was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Mastering in New Windsor, New York, where he applied final equalization, compression, and loudness optimization to prepare it for distribution.[10] Douches' expertise helped balance the high-energy tracks, enhancing clarity and impact across playback formats.[10] In the 2008 reissue, Andrew Wade stepped in to record the four bonus tracks—"Heartless," "You Should've Killed Me When You Had the Chance," "Since U Been Gone," and "Why Walk On Water When We've Got Boats"—at The Wade Studios in Ocala, Florida.[13] Wade, a frequent collaborator with the band, brought his production skills to these additions, maintaining consistency with the original's aesthetic while introducing fresh arrangements.[13] This work expanded the album's scope without altering the core production team from the initial release.[13]Composition
Musical style
For Those Who Have Heart is primarily classified as a post-hardcore album, incorporating influences from pop-punk, metalcore, and melodic hardcore.[14] The record exemplifies a fusion of aggressive hardcore elements with accessible pop sensibilities, characterized by its dynamic shifts between intense metalcore breakdowns and catchy, anthemic pop-punk choruses.[15] This blending creates a sound that balances mosh-pit energy with sing-along hooks, distinguishing the album within the mid-2000s rock landscape.[16] Central to the album's sonic identity are its heavy breakdowns, which deliver brutal, Hatebreed-inspired aggression, contrasted by fast-paced, melodic riffs and the duality of clean, soaring vocals and screamed growls from frontman Jeremy McKinnon.[14] Tracks like "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle" showcase this volatile energy through rapid tempo changes and pit-ready sections that erupt into memorable, earworm choruses.[15] The overall runtime of 42:42 allows for a tight, 12-track structure that maintains momentum without filler.[14] Compared to the band's debut And Their Name Was Treason, For Those Who Have Heart features more polished production, with enhanced clarity in the mix that amplifies the impact of its breakdowns and vocal performances.[16] While rooted in the heavier, less refined style of Ocala's hardcore and metalcore scene, the album introduces subtle electronic elements in the opener "Fast Forward to 2012," adding a futuristic edge to its melodic hardcore blitz.[1] This evolution bridges punk's broad accessibility with hardcore's raw aggression, laying groundwork for the easycore subgenre by successfully merging commercially viable pop-punk with bone-crushing metalcore.[15]Lyrics and themes
The lyrics for For Those Who Have Heart were written entirely by vocalist Jeremy McKinnon, who served as the band's primary songwriter and handled all lyrical content for the album. McKinnon's writing draws from personal experiences, infusing the tracks with raw emotion and direct language that resonates with the band's audience. This approach established his role as the central creative force behind A Day to Remember's narrative style, focusing on introspective and confrontational storytelling.[17] Central themes in the album revolve around betrayal in relationships, personal resilience, revenge, and youthful angst, reflecting the emotional turmoil of young adulthood and interpersonal conflicts. For instance, "Speak of the Devil" confronts deceit and betrayal, with McKinnon declaring vengeance against those who have wronged the narrator: "This is my vengeance for all the wrongs you've formed against us / You left us to rot, now you're crawling back for more." Tracks like "The Price We Pay" emphasize resilience and perseverance amid adversity, repeating lines such as "Days roll on / Shout it out loud / We know the price we pay" to underscore standing firm despite challenges. These motifs capture a sense of defiance and loyalty to friends and self, often framed through the lens of not backing down from confrontation. The lyrics also echo the band's origins in Florida's DIY hardcore scene, promoting an ethos of self-reliance and authenticity in the face of industry and personal betrayals.[18][19] McKinnon's vocal delivery amplifies these themes through a dynamic blend of clean, melodic singing and aggressive screams, creating stark emotional contrasts that mirror the lyrical tension between vulnerability and anger. This duality—shifting from introspective croons in verses to guttural roars in choruses and breakdowns—heightens the impact of songs dealing with angst and revenge, allowing listeners to feel the push-pull of hurt and empowerment.[19] The 2008 reissue expands the lyrical scope with a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone," reinterpreted in a pop-punk style that aligns with the album's themes of post-betrayal recovery and moving on. McKinnon's adaptation retains the original's anthemic energy while infusing it with the band's heavier edge, turning it into a defiant anthem of resilience.Release and promotion
Initial release
For Those Who Have Heart was first released on January 22, 2007, in the United States through Victory Records, marking the band's first release with the label. The album became available internationally shortly thereafter. It was distributed in both CD and digital formats, allowing for widespread accessibility in the emerging online music era.[20][10][1] In the lead-up to the launch, A Day to Remember built anticipation by streaming several tracks from the album on their MySpace profile starting in late 2006. This pre-release promotion leveraged the platform's popularity among rock and punk audiences, helping to cultivate early fan engagement and buzz for the record.[21] The initial packaging featured a standard jewel case for the CD edition, with artwork depicting guitarist Neil Westfall from behind, holding a baseball bat concealed in one hand and brass knuckles in the other, set against a crumpled paper texture and a predominantly yellow color scheme. This visual design emphasized the album's aggressive and confrontational themes.[10][22] The album achieved an early sales milestone, moving more than 20,000 copies in the United States by September 2007, as tracked by Nielsen SoundScan. This figure underscored the band's growing appeal within the post-hardcore and pop-punk scenes.[23]2008 reissue
The 2008 reissue of For Those Who Have Heart was released on February 19, 2008, by Victory Records.[24] This expanded edition added four bonus tracks to the original 12-track album: "Heartless," "You Should've Killed Me When You Had the Chance" (both re-recorded versions of songs from the band's 2005 debut And Their Name Was Treason), a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone," and a new original song, "Why Walk on Water When We've Got Boats."[25] The bonus tracks were recorded by Andrew Wade, extending the album's total length to 53:23.[13] The reissue also included a bonus DVD featuring a full live performance recorded on January 5, 2008, at The Capitol in Ocala, Florida, the band's hometown.[26] Directed by Dan Dobi and with audio recorded by Andrew Wade, the DVD captured a 32-minute concert set including songs from the album alongside the bonus tracks, supplemented by behind-the-scenes footage and music videos such as "The Danger in Starting a Fire."[25][13] This edition was issued amid the band's rising profile after extensive touring in support of the original 2007 release, providing fans with new material and visual content to sustain momentum.[27]Singles and music videos
The album For Those Who Have Heart did not have formal radio singles, with promotion instead focusing on digital platforms such as iTunes for track downloads and streaming.[28] The lead single, "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle", received a music video release on March 8, 2007, directed by Dan Dobi and featuring the band performing amid chaotic scenes involving adult film actor Ron Jeremy.[29] Subsequent videos supported the 2008 reissue, including one for "The Danger in Starting a Fire" released on February 29, 2008, which depicts the band in a high-energy live setting with pyrotechnics and crowd interaction.[30][31] The cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" followed with its music video on July 23, 2008, showcasing the band delivering a heavier, post-hardcore reinterpretation in a dimly lit, industrial environment.[32][33] These videos aired on specialty music programs like MTV2's Headbangers Ball and Fuse, helping to expand the band's visibility within the metalcore and pop-punk scenes.Touring and marketing
Following the January 2007 release of For Those Who Have Heart, A Day to Remember embarked on an extensive touring schedule to build momentum, beginning with support slots on established acts' bills. Early tours included an appearance at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas, on March 14, 2007, as part of Victory Records' showcase, where they performed tracks from the album to industry attendees and fans.[34] In October 2007, the band joined Silverstein, From Autumn to Ashes, and Strike Anywhere for a series of U.S. shows, including performances at venues like The Glass House in Pomona, California, on October 13.[35] These early outings helped solidify their presence in the post-hardcore and pop-punk scenes. Marketing efforts emphasized digital and grassroots strategies to reach a growing audience. The band leveraged MySpace for streaming pre-production demos and full tracks from the album, capitalizing on the platform's role in the mid-2000s music discovery era to promote songs like "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle."[36] Inclusion on Victory Records samplers further amplified exposure, with select cuts distributed to fans and retailers. In their home state of Florida, the group fostered connections within the local scene through shows at Ocala venues like Alethia on September 29, 2007, alongside other regional acts such as LYFE and Versa Emerge, emphasizing community-driven promotion.[23] The 2008 reissue of the album included a DVD featuring a full live performance recorded at The Capitol Theatre in Ocala, Florida, serving as a key promotional tool to showcase their energetic stage presence and hometown roots.[37] This release fueled expanded touring, including the Easycore Tour supporting New Found Glory from September to October 2008, with dates at larger venues like the House of Blues in Las Vegas.[38] The band also performed on the 2008 Vans Warped Tour across multiple U.S. stops from June to August, appearing on the Collapse Stage at events in cities like Pomona, California, on June 20, which marked a step toward broader national visibility.[39]Commercial performance
Chart positions
Upon its release in January 2007, For Those Who Have Heart debuted and peaked at number 17 on the US Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums chart, reflecting its early success within emerging and independent rock acts.[27] The album did not enter the mainstream Billboard 200, underscoring the band's initial niche appeal in the metalcore and post-hardcore scenes at the time.[27] The February 2008 reissue achieved further recognition, reaching number 43 on the US Billboard Independent Albums chart, which highlighted sustained interest among indie label releases. Internationally, the album saw limited but notable placement, peaking at number 44 on the UK Official Independent Albums Chart for one week.[40]| Chart (2007–2008) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums | 17 |
| US Billboard Independent Albums | 43 |
| UK Official Independent Albums | 44 |
Sales and certifications
Upon its release in January 2007, For Those Who Have Heart sold more than 20,000 copies within its initial period, marking a significant milestone for the band on the independent label Victory Records.[41] As an indie release, the album demonstrated robust performance in the alternative rock and metalcore markets, relying on grassroots support and label distribution without attaining any RIAA certifications.[42] The 2008 reissue, featuring additional tracks, provided a notable sales boost by expanding its reach and charting at number 43 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums.[41] Subsequent digital distribution on platforms like iTunes and Spotify further enhanced its long-term commercial metrics, contributing to sustained streams and downloads amid the band's growing popularity.[41]Critical reception
Contemporary reviews
Upon its release in January 2007, For Those Who Have Heart received generally favorable reviews from music critics, who praised the band's evolution in blending pop-punk melodies with metalcore aggression, though some noted inconsistencies in execution. AbsolutePunk.net highlighted the album's improvements over the band's debut, particularly vocalist Jeremy McKinnon's increased confidence and range, describing it as a step forward in production and songcraft that bridged disparate scenes despite potential backlash from purists.[16] AllMusic's review by Eduardo Rivadavia appreciated the album's energetic qualities.[14] PopMatters commended the innovative crossover of death metal grunts and pop-punk melodies, rating it 8/10 and noting the high energy and precise drumming, though conceding that the lyrics fell short of high art.[43] Mixed responses pointed to occasional weaknesses in songwriting. Punknews.org awarded it 5/10, praising the band's earnest intentions and relative lack of pretension compared to peers but criticizing clichéd breakdowns, belch-like vocals, and some banal tracks that undermined the overall promise.[19] The album lacked an aggregate Metacritic score due to limited major outlet coverage at the time, but contemporary outlets largely viewed it as a favorable entry point for the band's accessible, genre-straddling style.Retrospective views
In the years following its release, For Those Who Have Heart has been widely recognized as a breakthrough album in A Day to Remember's career, solidifying their transition from local act to national prominence. The 2023 vinyl reissue announcement emphasized its role as their Victory Records debut and the catalyst for extensive touring, underscoring its enduring foundational status, with the band celebrating it as a milestone in their 20-year history.[41] This reissue, marking the album's return to vinyl after 16 years, further highlighted its importance.[41] Later critical assessments have praised the album for pioneering the fusion of pop-punk and metalcore, a style often termed "easycore" for its accessible yet aggressive blend. A 2019 Kerrang! retrospective on the band's evolution described For Those Who Have Heart as a "heavier, less-refined" effort that introduced melodic pop-punk mantras infused with hardcore breakdowns, drawing from influences like blink-182 and the Ocala metalcore scene to create a genre-bending template.[15] Reviews from outlets like PopMatters highlighted its "exciting" energy, while KillYourStereo called it "highly enjoyable" for balancing diversified elements of pop-punk, alternative rock, and hardcore without compromise.[41] The album's influence on the easycore subgenre has been cited in post-2010 analyses as a key example of scene-blending innovation. Kerrang! noted how its structure—alternating melodic choruses with mosh-inducing riffs—foreshadowed broader acceptance of hybrid sounds, influencing subsequent acts by demonstrating how pop-punk accessibility could coexist with metalcore intensity.[15] This pioneering approach was further validated in the streaming era through a 2023 digital re-release featuring a remixed and remastered version, which renewed accessibility on platforms and affirmed its lasting appeal amid evolving consumption habits.[44] No major anniversary editions have emerged beyond the 2023 vinyl and digital efforts, yet these updates highlight the album's sustained critical and cultural resonance.[41]Track listing
Original edition
The original edition of For Those Who Have Heart, released on January 22, 2007, by Victory Records, comprises 12 tracks all written by the band's members Jeremy McKinnon (vocals), Tom Denney (guitar), Neil Westfall (guitar), Josh Woodard (bass), and Alex Shelnutt (drums). The album's total runtime is 42:42. Below is the track listing with durations:[1]| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Fast Forward to 2012" | McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt | 1:33 |
| 2 | "Speak of the Devil" | McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt | 3:23 |
| 3 | "The Danger in Starting a Fire" | McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt | 3:02 |
| 4 | "The Plot to Bomb the Panhandle" | McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt | 4:04 |
| 5 | "Monument" | McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt | 3:48 |
| 6 | "The Price We Pay" | McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt | 2:43 |
| 7 | "Cliche" | McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt | 3:17 |
| 8 | "Here's to the Past" | McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt | 3:59 |
| 9 | "I Heard It's the Softest Thing Ever" | McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt | 4:06 |
| 10 | "Another Song About the Weekend" | McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt | 3:34 |
| 11 | "If Actions Speak Louder Than Words" | McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt | 2:42 |
| 12 | "Start the Shooting" | McKinnon, Denney, Westfall, Woodard, Shelnutt | 4:44 |
2008 reissue edition
The 2008 reissue of For Those Who Have Heart, released on February 19 by Victory Records, augmented the original 12-track album with four bonus tracks and a companion DVD containing live performances, music videos, and supplementary material recorded in the band's hometown of Ocala, Florida. This expanded edition provided fans with previously unreleased studio recordings and visual content captured during an early 2008 show, enhancing the album's appeal amid the band's rising popularity in the post-hardcore and pop-punk scenes.[13][25] The bonus tracks consist of three original compositions by A Day to Remember—Jeremy McKinnon, Neil Westfall, Kevin Skaff, Alex Shelnutt, and Jordan Butler (the latter appearing as a guest on bass for some recordings)—along with a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone." These songs were produced to complement the album's blend of aggressive breakdowns and melodic choruses, offering fresh material that showcased the band's evolving songwriting. The additions extend the album's total runtime to 54:34, providing 11:52 additional minutes of music beyond the original edition.| Track | Title | Duration | Writer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Heartless | 3:00 | A Day to Remember |
| 14 | You Should’ve Killed Me When You Had the Chance | 3:40 | A Day to Remember |
| 15 | Since U Been Gone | 3:18 | Lukasz Gottwald, Martin Sandberg |
| 16 | Why Walk on Water When We’ve Got Boats | 1:54 | A Day to Remember |
Personnel
Band members
The lineup of A Day to Remember for their 2007 album For Those Who Have Heart featured Jeremy McKinnon on lead vocals, Tom Denney on lead guitar and backing vocals, Neil Westfall on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Joshua Woodard on bass guitar, and Alex Shelnutt—who had joined the band in 2006—on drums.[10][45][8]| Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Jeremy McKinnon | Lead vocals |
| Tom Denney | Lead guitar, backing vocals |
| Neil Westfall | Rhythm guitar, backing vocals |
| Joshua Woodard | Bass guitar |
| Alex Shelnutt | Drums |